After a meeting with US President-elect Donald Trump, Mitt Romney said he is looking forward to Trump's administration.

Romney met with Trump at a golf course in New Jersey on Saturday.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee was an outspoken critic of Trump during the election, calling him a "con man" and a "fraud." But the two have started to make amends since the election. Romney called Trump to congratulate him after his win.

"We had a far-reaching conversation with regards to the various theatres in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance. We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. Very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had. And, I appreciate the chance to speak with the president-elect, and look forward to the coming administration and the things they are doing. Thank you."

After a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, Mitt Romney said he is looking forward to Trump's administration.

Romney met with Trump at a golf course in New Jersey on Saturday.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee was an outspoken critic of Trump during the election, calling him a "con man" and a "fraud." But the two have started to make amends since the election. Romney called Trump to congratulate him after his win.

"We had a far-reaching conversation with regards to the various theatres in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance. We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. Very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had. And, I appreciate the chance to speak with the President-elect, and look forward to the coming administration and the things they are doing. Thank you."

After a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump, Mitt Romney said he is looking forward to Trump's administration.

Romney met with Trump at a golf course in New Jersey on Saturday.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee was an outspoken critic of Trump during the election, calling him a "con man" and a "fraud." But the two have started to make amends since the election. Romney called Trump to congratulate him after his win.

"We had a far-reaching conversation with regards to the various theatres in the world where there are interests of the United States of real significance. We discussed those areas and exchanged our views on those topics. Very thorough and in-depth discussion in the time we had. And, I appreciate the chance to speak with the President-elect, and look forward to the coming administration and the things they are doing. Thank you."

In a gesture of reconciliation with establishment Republicans, President-elect Donald Trump plans to meet with 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who lambasted Trump as a "con man" and a "fraud" in a stinging speech in March.

Trump responded by repeatedly referring to Romney as a "loser."

The two began mending fences after Trump's victory when Romney called with congratulations.

They are to meet this weekend, a transition official says.

Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway says they are still "working on" the meeting.

RNC communications director Sean Spicer wouldn't comment to the Fox News Channel on whether Trump was set to offer Romney a position in the administration now being formed.

But when asked what the pair was expected to discuss, the Republican strategist said only that "they're going to have a conversation."

"Here's what I know, Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud, his promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's playing members of the American public for suckers, he gets a free ride to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat. His domestic policies would lead to recession, his foreign policies would make America and the world less safe, he has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president and his personal qualities would mean that America would cease to be a shining city on a hill."

"You have these stiffs like a (2012 presidential candidate) Mitt Romney - the guy is a total stiff. Did he let us down? This guy is a loser. Did he let us down? I mean, here's a guy, goes up, he's so devastated, he forgot to campaign in the final month, he gave it to Obama, believe me, that election. I'm going to beat Hillary so badly, but let me just tell you, beating Obama four years ago was easier than beating Hillary Clinton now, believe me, and Mitt Romney choked, pure and simple, he choked, he choked like a dog and that's not going to happen."

In a gesture of reconciliation with establishment Republicans, President-elect Donald Trump plans to meet with 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, who lambasted Trump as a "con man" and a "fraud" in a stinging speech in March.

Trump responded by repeatedly referring to Romney as a "loser."

The two began mending fences after Trump's victory when Romney called with congratulations.

They are to meet this weekend, a transition official says.

Campaign manager Kellyanne Conway says they are still "working on" the meeting.

RNC communications director Sean Spicer wouldn't comment to the Fox News Channel on whether Trump was set to offer Romney a position in the administration now being formed.

But when asked what the pair was expected to discuss, the Republican strategist said only that "they're going to have a conversation."

"Here's what I know, Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud, his promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He's playing members of the American public for suckers, he gets a free ride for to the White House, and all we get is a lousy hat. His domestic policies would lead to recession, his foreign policies would make America and the world less safe, he has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president his personal qualities would mean that America would cease to be a shining city on a hill. I'm convinced America has greatness ahead and this is a time for choosing, God bless us to choose a nominee who will make that vision a reality."

"You have these stiffs like a (2012 presidential candidate) Mitt Romney - the guy is a total stiff. Did he let us down? This guy is a loser. Did he let us down? I mean, here's a guy, goes up, he's so devastated, he forgot to campaign in the final month, he gave it to Obama, believe me, that election. I'm going to beat Hillary so badly, but let me just tell you, beating Obama four years ago was easier than beating Hillary Clinton now, believe me, and Mitt Romney choked, pure and simple, he choked like a dog and that's not going to happen."

"We're trying to get the free enterprise system going again. Why not pitch a few people from the free enterprise system," he said.

++ SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK ++

New York - December 2, 2016

1. Senator David Perdue of Georgia, candidate for agriculture secretary escorted to elevator

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. David Perdue (R) Georgia:

"This is a dream team coming together, Mnuchin, Ross, Priebus. You see the people going out of here. What this man is doing, President-elect Trump, is reaching out to a broad spectrum of Americans to consider for his cabinet. That's a new day compared to what we have seen over the last eight years."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. David Perdue (R) Georgia:

"Job one is getting people put back to work so if you look at were talking about Obamacare, the Keystone pipeline, the waters of the US and the clean power plants. Those are things that we all did this year and I think we can do again early in his tenure. Then we're talking about things like getting money flowing back to small communities and small businesses. The repatriation tax, this whole tax package that they are working on right now is geared up to get people back to work. So I am very energized and excited about that opportunity."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. David Perdue (R) Georgia:

"I don't think Elaine Chao is a billionaire, I don't think Reince Priebus is a billionaire and I mean certainly you've got big businesses in there, but we're trying to get the free enterprise system going again. Why not pitch a few people from the free enterprise system. That's what I've been saying all along. There are only a handful of us in the United States that understand how this capitalistic system works and we can get it going again it's not that difficult."

5. Retired Admiral Jay Cohen approaches elevator

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Retired Admiral Jay Cohen:

"I just want to say that it was a great honor and privilege to spend time with the president-elect and it was the most thoughtful and penetrating and rapid-fire interview I have had since my interview with Admiral Rickover. So we look forward to the president-elect and the new administration having every success."

7. Richard Grenell, former national security spokesman for Mitt Romney

"We're trying to get the free enterprise system going again. Why not pitch a few people from the free enterprise system," he said.

New York - December 2, 2016

1. Senator David Perdue of Georgia, candidate for agriculture secretary escorted to elevator

++ SOUNDBITES SEPARATED BY BLACK ++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. David Perdue (R) Georgia:

"This is a dream team coming together, Mnuchin, Ross, Priebus. You see the people going out of here. What this man is doing, President-elect Trump, is reaching out to a broad spectrum of Americans to consider for his cabinet. That's a new day compared to what we have seen over the last eight years."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. David Perdue (R) Georgia:

"Job one is getting people put back to work so if you look at were talking about Obamacare, the Keystone pipeline, the waters of the US and the clean power plants. Those are things that we all did this year and I think we can do again early in his tenure. Then we're talking about things like getting money flowing back to small communities and small businesses. The repatriation tax, this whole tax package that they are working on right now is geared up to get people back to work. So I am very energized and excited about that opportunity."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sen. David Perdue (R) Georgia:

"I don't think Elaine Chao is a billionaire, I don't think Reince Priebus is a billionaire and I mean certainly you've got big businesses in there, but we're trying to get the free enterprise system going again. Why not pitch a few people from the free enterprise system. That's what I've been saying all along. There are only a handful of us in the United States that understand how this capitalistic system works and we can get it going again it's not that difficult."

5. Retired Admiral Jay Cohen approaches elevator

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Retired Admiral Jay Cohen:

"I just want to say that it was a great honor and privilege to spend time with the president-elect and it was the most thoughtful and penetrating and rapid-fire interview I have had since my interview with Admiral Rickover. So we look forward to the president-elect and the new administration having every success."

7. Richard Grenell, former national security spokesman for Mitt Romney

At a news conference Friday, Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell went on the attack over delays over cabinet nominations. McConnell also criticized President Donald Trump for going off message on Twitter and elsewhere.

Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the administration's picks a 'swamp cabinet' and ' the worst cabinet' in the 'history of America'.

While Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Republicans intend to overhaul health care and the tax code this year without Democratic help.

McConnell says the polarization in Congress is Democrats' fault because they haven't come to terms with the fact that Trump won the election.

McConnell also told reporters that "I'm not a great fan of daily tweets" - but adds that he is a fan of what Trump has actually been doing.

And on substance, McConnell claims, Trump is not much different from how Marco Rubio, Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush would have been as president.

McConnell praises Trump's Cabinet picks, and that despite "the extra discussion that he likes to engage in ... we're going to soldier on'.

"Why are our Republican colleagues, why do they want to rush through this cabinet? They're ashamed of them. They don't want the light of day. Senator McConnell is ashamed of these cabinet members, I believe. Many of my Republican colleagues I know are."

"It is the worst cabinet I think in the history of America, certainly in lifetime. A swamp cabinet, billionaires, bankers. One third of the American people have less wealth. Add them all up. You add up the wealth of the bottom third of the American people, there's less wealth than in this cabinet of 15 people. This represents America? It's a betrayal of Donald Trump's promise to represent working men and women."

"As the Democrats have engaged in what I would consider, would call a futile gesture, taking as much time as possible, but knowing full well at the end of time they required us to burn, it has no impact on the outcome. You know I hope at some point here the other side will accept the results of last year's election."

"Well it's clear that in the early months it's going to be a Republicans only exercise. We don't expect any Democratic cooperation in the replacement of Obamacare. We don't expect any Democratic cooperation on tax reform."

At a news conference Friday, Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell went on the attack over delays over cabinet nominations. McConnell also criticized President Donald Trump for going off message on Twitter and elsewhere.

Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the administration's picks a 'swamp cabinet' and ' the worst cabinet' in the 'history of America'.

While Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Republicans intend to overhaul health care and the tax code this year without Democratic help.

McConnell says the polarization in Congress is Democrats' fault because they haven't come to terms with the fact that Trump won the election.

McConnell also told reporters that "I'm not a great fan of daily tweets" - but adds that he is a fan of what Trump has actually been doing.

And on substance, McConnell claims, Trump is not much different from how Marco Rubio, Mitt Romney or Jeb Bush would have been as president.

McConnell praises Trump's Cabinet picks, and that despite "the extra discussion that he likes to engage in ... we're going to soldier on'.

"Why are our Republican colleagues, why do they want to rush through this cabinet? They're ashamed of them. They don't want the light of day. Senator McConnell is ashamed of these cabinet members, I believe. Many of my Republican colleagues I know are."

"It is the worst cabinet I think in the history of America, certainly in lifetime. A swamp cabinet, billionaires, bankers. One third of the American people have less wealth. Add them all up. You add up the wealth of the bottom third of the American people, there's less wealth than in this cabinet of 15 people. This represents America? It's a betrayal of Donald Trump's promise to represent working men and women."

"As the Democrats have engaged in what I would consider, would call a futile gesture, taking as much time as possible, but knowing full well at the end of time they required us to burn, it has no impact on the outcome. You know I hope at some point here the other side will accept the results of last year's election."

"Well it's clear that in the early months it's going to be a Republicans only exercise. We don't expect any Democratic cooperation in the replacement of Obamacare. We don't expect any Democratic cooperation on tax reform."

The White House's sudden moves in the Mideast sparked alarm from Congress on Wednesday as key Democrats warned President Donald Trump off war with Iran and lawmakers in both parties demanded more information on the administration's strategy.

The top leaders in Congress -- the so-called Gang of Eight -- are expected to receive a classified briefing from the administration on Thursday.

Some Republicans, including Sen. Mitt Romney, sought out their own briefings as the Trump administration sends resources to the region amid claims of unspecified threats linked to Iran.

Romney added that he agrees that Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should be briefed on the White House strategy toward Iran.

The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee also warned the administration against any action without approval from lawmakers.

"I've never seen an administration that is less forthcoming about such critical information than the Trump administration. It's pretty outrageous and what really bothers me is that my republican colleagues don't seem to be calling for the type of information that is critical to making decisions on war and peace and life and death," said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

Menendez also noted at a hearing on Wednesday that Congress has not authorized war with Iran.

"We should not provoke a conflict. I think that's what's happening. I think we ought to find a way to sit down and have a decent conversation. I think that's possible," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA.

Washington - 15 May 2019

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"We do not need another Iraq weapons of mass destruction moment where we were falsely led into a military engagement in Iraq, which is one of the biggest mistakes we have had in foreign policy. So we cannot make intelligent foreign policy and national security decisions in the absence of having the information and the intelligence that tells us what are the risks, what are the assessments of those risks, how strong are those assessments and so this is like making foreign policy and national security decisions in the blind and so I've never seen an administration that is less forthcoming about such critical information than the Trump administration. It's pretty outrageous and what really bothers me is that my republican colleagues don't seem to be calling for the type of information that is critical to making decisions on war and peace and life and death. (Reporter Question: Do you think there should be receiving more briefings by the administration?) More? There need to be briefings. Forget about more briefings. There need to be briefings. There haven't been any briefings and we saw today, even when we get an administration witness up here there are total nonanswers. This is totally unacceptable. In 27 years of doing foreign policy, I've never seen anything like it."

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Murphy, (D) Connecticut: (Responding to question on whether we are heading to war with Iran)

"I hope we aren't. I think that the administration is engaged in a series of blind escalations without any endgame. This isn't well thought out and it's entirely predictable that we have threats against US troops. Our military leaders told the president that if he took the steps that he took that it would end up compromising our troops' security in Iraq and that's exactly what may be happening today and it was entirely avoidable."

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"We should not provoke a conflict. I think that's what's happening. I think we ought to find a way to sit down and have a decent conversation. I think that's possible. I happen to know the Foreign Minister of Iran, know him quite well. He's a very reasonable man and would not be encouraging this kind of activity on the part of his country. I deeply believe that."

4. Feinstein walks away

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Mitt Romney, (R) Utah:

"The administration is showing that we have the capacity to deter that through our strength. It's also out of an abundance of caution, appropriate to remove individuals who might be in harm's way. I received a personal briefing, which I requested about that intelligence. I know the chairman has received that briefing, but that's not going to be publicly provided. But it is appropriate I think for our committee to have that kind of info."

The White House's sudden moves in the Mideast sparked alarm from Congress on Wednesday as key Democrats warned President Donald Trump off war with Iran and lawmakers in both parties demanded more information on the administration's strategy.

The top leaders in Congress -- the so-called Gang of Eight -- are expected to receive a classified briefing from the administration on Thursday.

Some Republicans, including Sen. Mitt Romney, sought out their own briefings as the Trump administration sends resources to the region amid claims of unspecified threats linked to Iran.

Romney added that he agrees that Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should be briefed on the White House strategy toward Iran.

The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee also warned the administration against any action without approval from lawmakers.

"I've never seen an administration that is less forthcoming about such critical information than the Trump administration. It's pretty outrageous and what really bothers me is that my republican colleagues don't seem to be calling for the type of information that is critical to making decisions on war and peace and life and death," said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

Menendez also noted at a hearing on Wednesday that Congress has not authorized war with Iran.

"We should not provoke a conflict. I think that's what's happening. I think we ought to find a way to sit down and have a decent conversation. I think that's possible," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA.

Washington - 15 May 2019

++EDIT ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"We do not need another Iraq weapons of mass destruction moment where we were falsely led into a military engagement in Iraq, which is one of the biggest mistakes we have had in foreign policy. So we cannot make intelligent foreign policy and national security decisions in the absence of having the information and the intelligence that tells us what are the risks, what are the assessments of those risks, how strong are those assessments and so this is like making foreign policy and national security decisions in the blind and so I've never seen an administration that is less forthcoming about such critical information than the Trump administration. It's pretty outrageous and what really bothers me is that my republican colleagues don't seem to be calling for the type of information that is critical to making decisions on war and peace and life and death. (Reporter Question: Do you think there should be receiving more briefings by the administration?) More? There need to be briefings. Forget about more briefings. There need to be briefings. There haven't been any briefings and we saw today, even when we get an administration witness up here there are total nonanswers. This is totally unacceptable. In 27 years of doing foreign policy, I've never seen anything like it."

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Murphy, (D) Connecticut: (Responding to question on whether we are heading to war with Iran)

"I hope we aren't. I think that the administration is engaged in a series of blind escalations without any endgame. This isn't well thought out and it's entirely predictable that we have threats against US troops. Our military leaders told the president that if he took the steps that he took that it would end up compromising our troops' security in Iraq and that's exactly what may be happening today and it was entirely avoidable."

++SOTS SEPARATED BY BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"We should not provoke a conflict. I think that's what's happening. I think we ought to find a way to sit down and have a decent conversation. I think that's possible. I happen to know the Foreign Minister of Iran, know him quite well. He's a very reasonable man and would not be encouraging this kind of activity on the part of his country. I deeply believe that."

4. Feinstein walks away

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Mitt Romney, (R) Utah:

"The administration is showing that we have the capacity to deter that through our strength. It's also out of an abundance of caution, appropriate to remove individuals who might be in harm's way. I received a personal briefing, which I requested about that intelligence. I know the chairman has received that briefing, but that's not going to be publicly provided. But it is appropriate I think for our committee to have that kind of info."

The White House's sudden moves in the Mideast sparked alarm from Congress on Wednesday as key Democrats warned President Donald Trump off war with Iran and lawmakers in both parties demanded more information on the administration's strategy.

The top leaders in Congress -- the so-called Gang of Eight -- are expected to receive a classified briefing from the administration on Thursday.

Some Republicans, including Sen. Mitt Romney, sought out their own briefings as the Trump administration sends resources to the region amid claims of unspecified threats linked to Iran.

Romney added that he agrees that Republicans and Democrats on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee should be briefed on the White House strategy toward Iran.

The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee also warned the administration against any action without approval from lawmakers.

"I've never seen an administration that is less forthcoming about such critical information than the Trump administration. It's pretty outrageous and what really bothers me is that my republican colleagues don't seem to be calling for the type of information that is critical to making decisions on war and peace and life and death," said Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J.

Menendez also noted at a hearing on Wednesday that Congress has not authorized war with Iran.

"We should not provoke a conflict. I think that's what's happening. I think we ought to find a way to sit down and have a decent conversation. I think that's possible," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA.

Washington - 15 May 2019

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Bob Menendez, (D) New Jersey:

"This is like making foreign policy and national security decisions in the blind and so I've never seen an administration that is less forthcoming about such critical information than the Trump administration. It's pretty outrageous and what really bothers me is that my republican colleagues don't seem to be calling for the type of information that is critical to making decisions on war and peace and life and death. (Reporter Question: Do you think there should be receiving more briefings by the administration?) More? There need to be briefings. Forget about more briefings. There need to be briefings."

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D) California:

"We should not provoke a conflict. I think that's what's happening. I think we ought to find a way to sit down and have a decent conversation. I think that's possible."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Chris Murphy, (D) Connecticut:

"This isn't well thought out and it's entirely predictable that we have threats against US troops. Our military leaders told the president that if he took the steps that he took that it would end up compromising our troops' security in Iraq and that's exactly what may be happening today and it was entirely avoidable."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Mitt Romney, (R) Utah:

"I received a personal briefing, which I requested about that intelligence. I know the chairman has received that briefing, but that's not going to be publicly provided. But it is appropriate I think for our committee to have that kind of info."

President Donald Trump invited Republican members to the White House Thursday while the final scheduled House impeachment hearings occcurred, but senators in attendance say that while the impeachment process came up during the lunch, the president did not dwell on it.

The lunch included moderate Republicans who have not yet indicated how they would vote if an impeachment trial is initiated in the senate.

West Virgina Sen. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said the president did not try to persuade them on how they should vote on impeachment, but did express "how frustrated he is at the inability to be able to defend himself."

Senators say that other issues like trade, prescription drug prices and vaping came up as well.

Romney who supports a ban on vaping flavors said that the president listened to the senators' opinions on the issue.

The Trump administration has recently backed away from an earlier plan to ban virtually all vaping flavors due to their appeal to teens. No deadline has been set for a new proposal or announcement.

The lunch meeting was one in a series in recent weeks in which Trump has been meeting with Republican senators.

Washington - 21 November 2019

1. Reporter asks Senator question

UPSOUND: (English) "Sen. Capito, in your meeting with the president did impeachment come up?"

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia:

"Yeah, he talked about impeachment. He talked about the proceedings, how frustrated he is at the inability to be able to defend himself, but he didn't dwell on it. We didn't take up the lengthiest part of our conversation by any means."

3. Reporter asks Senator question UPSOUND: (English) "Some have said that it was inappropriate for him to invite you over to the White House during this time."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia:

"Oh no. We spent most of the time talking about policy, USMCA, trade with China, how to keep the economy going. I mean that's totally appropriate."

"We did discuss USMCA. He thinks that's going to be very good for for the country. A number of Senators, particularly in farm states spoke about the significance of that for their states. We also discussed the impact in lobstering and what's happening now with regards to the the Chinese tariffs and how they affect lobstering ... But these are of course, things brought up by various senators and he, he listened to them. He didn't say, 'Well here's what I'm going to do.' That would be a little precipitous to do that.

(Reporter asks question: He didn't say he was turning away from the ban on flavored vaping?)

He listened to our perspectives and exchanged ... Well, my view is that we should ban all flavors, but I recognize that a number of senators think, no, we need to keep menthol as a flavor. And we pointed those things out and he listened."

11. Romney departs

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut:

"I think if President Trump had not so lowered the bar on what is acceptable it would be greeted with outrage. I think it is not only improper, but an insult to Congress and simply demonstrates President Trump's continuing contempt for both Congress and the constitution. I think my colleagues would be well-advised to stay away from the White House and I'm kind of surprised that they're even going to have lunch with the president in this way because the appearance to the American people is absolutely insulting."

President Donald Trump invited Republican members to the White House Thursday while the final scheduled House impeachment hearings occcurred, but senators in attendance say that while the impeachment process came up during the lunch, the president did not dwell on it.

The lunch included moderate Republicans who have not yet indicated how they would vote if an impeachment trial is initiated in the senate.

West Virgina Sen. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said the president did not try to persuade them on how they should vote on impeachment, but did express "how frustrated he is at the inability to be able to defend himself."

Senators say that other issues like trade, prescription drug prices and vaping came up as well.

Romney who supports a ban on vaping flavors said that the president listened to the senators' opinions on the issue.

The Trump administration has recently backed away from an earlier plan to ban virtually all vaping flavors due to their appeal to teens. No deadline has been set for a new proposal or announcement.

The lunch meeting was one in a series in recent weeks in which Trump has been meeting with Republican senators.

Washington - 21 November 2019

1. Reporter asks Senator question

UPSOUND: (English) "Sen. Capito, in your meeting with the president did impeachment come up?"

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia:

"Yeah, he talked about impeachment. He talked about the proceedings, how frustrated he is at the inability to be able to defend himself, but he didn't dwell on it. We didn't take up the lengthiest part of our conversation by any means."

3. Reporter asks Senator question UPSOUND: (English) "Some have said that it was inappropriate for him to invite you over to the White House during this time."

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, (R) West Virginia:

"Oh no. We spent most of the time talking about policy, USMCA, trade with China, how to keep the economy going. I mean that's totally appropriate."

"We did discuss USMCA. He thinks that's going to be very good for for the country. A number of Senators, particularly in farm states spoke about the significance of that for their states. We also discussed the impact in lobstering and what's happening now with regards to the the Chinese tariffs and how they affect lobstering ... But these are of course, things brought up by various senators and he, he listened to them. He didn't say, 'Well here's what I'm going to do.' That would be a little precipitous to do that.

(Reporter asks question: He didn't say he was turning away from the ban on flavored vaping?)

He listened to our perspectives and exchanged ... Well, my view is that we should ban all flavors, but I recognize that a number of senators think, no, we need to keep menthol as a flavor. And we pointed those things out and he listened."

11. Romney departs

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut:

"I think if President Trump had not so lowered the bar on what is acceptable it would be greeted with outrage. I think it is not only improper, but an insult to Congress and simply demonstrates President Trump's continuing contempt for both Congress and the constitution. I think my colleagues would be well-advised to stay away from the White House and I'm kind of surprised that they're even going to have lunch with the president in this way because the appearance to the American people is absolutely insulting."

US President Donald Trump says his Republican party needs to "get tougher and fight" against the Democrat led impeachment inquiry.

Trump made the comments during a White House Cabinet meeting in which he again called the investigation "phony" and said "Democrats are trying to hurt the Republican Party" in the upcoming 2020 Election.

A growing number of Republicans have been critical of Trump following his decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, followed by the announcement that the administration would host next summer's G-7 meeting at Trump's Doral private golf club outside Miami. Trump has since reversed the Doral decision, saying he will host the meetings somewhere else.

Trump said though he believes Democrats "fight dirty" and are "lousy politicians," they have two things he admires: "they're vicious and they stick together."

He then called out Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney for his frequent criticisms of Trump and for "breaking off" from the party.

"They don't have people like that," Trump said referring to the Democrats. "They stick together."

The president told reporters Democrats want to impeach him "and they want to do it as quick as possible" because he says they're afraid Trump is going to win the election.

Washington, DC - 21 October 2019

1. Wide shot of US President Donald Trump talking in Cabinet room

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"So there's a phony investigation. I watched a couple of people on television today talking about it. They were talking about what a phony deal it is, what a phony investigation it is. And the Republicans have to get tougher and fight. We have some that are great fighters, but they have to get tougher and fight because the Democrats are trying to hurt the Republican Party for the election, which is coming up."

3. Cutaway of Cabinet members

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"(Reporter question: You said the Republicans need to get tougher and fight. What are you talking about?)

Well I think the Democrats fight dirty. I think the Democrats are lousy politicians with lousy policy. They want open borders. They don't care about crime. They want sanctuary cities. They don't care about drugs, they don't care about almost anything. They don't care about USMCA, how about that? I think they're lousy politicians. But two things they have: they're vicious and they stick together. They don't have Mitt Romney in their midst. They don't have people like that. They stick together. You never see them break off. You never see somebody go out and.."

5. Mid shot of Trump speaking

6 . SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This whole thing is very bad for our country. In the midst of that, I'm trying to get out of wars. We may have to get in wars, too, OK? We may have to get in wars. We're better prepared than we've ever been. If Iran does something, they'll be hit like they've never been hit before. I mean, we have things that we're looking at. But can you imagine? I have to fight off these these low-lifes at the same time, I'm negotiating these very important things, that should have been done during Obama and Bush and even before that. All right. So that's where we are right now."

7. Cutaway of Cabinet members

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"(On impeachment) Well I think they want to. Any Democrat wants to because they're not going to beat me in the election. So of course, they want to impeach. Why wouldn't they want to impeach me? It's so, it's so illegitimate. It cannot be the way the founders, our great founders, meant this to be. But I see this guy, Congressman Al Green, say we have to impeach him, otherwise, he's going to win the election. What's that all about? But that's exactly what they're saying. We have to impeach him because otherwise he's going to win. I'm going to win the election."

9. Wide shot of Trump in Cabinet Room

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"You know you had a Never-Trumper-Bush, you have heard of those. Those people might be worse than the Democrats, the Never-Trumpers. The good news is they're dying off fast. They're on artificial respiration, I think. But, no impeachment, uh, they want to impeach and they want to do it as quick as possible. And that's pretty much the story, ok?"

President Donald Trump says his Republican party needs to "get tougher and fight" against the Democrat led impeachment inquiry.

Trump made the comments during a White House Cabinet meeting in which he again called the investigation "phony" and said "Democrats are trying to hurt the Republican Party" in the upcoming 2020 Election.

A growing number of Republicans have been critical of Trump following his decision to pull U.S. troops out of Syria, followed by the announcement that the administration would host next summer's G-7 meeting at Trump's Doral private golf club outside Miami. Trump has since reversed the Doral decision, saying he will host the meetings somewhere else.

Trump said though he believes Democrats "fight dirty" and are "lousy politicians," they have two things he admires: "they're vicious and they stick together."

He then called out Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney for his frequent criticisms of Trump and for "breaking off" from the party.

"They don't have people like that," Trump said referring to the Democrats. "They stick together."

The president told reporters Democrats want to impeach him "and they want to do it as quick as possible" because he says they're afraid Trump is going to win the election.

Washington, DC - 21 October 2019

1. Wide shot of Trump talking in Cabinet room

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"So there's a phony investigation. I watched a couple of people on television today talking about it. They were talking about what a phony deal it is, what a phony investigation it is. And the Republicans have to get tougher and fight. We have some that are great fighters, but they have to get tougher and fight because the Democrats are trying to hurt the Republican Party for the election, which is coming up."

3. Cutaway of Cabinet members

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"(Reporter question: You said the Republicans need to get tougher and fight. What are you talking about?)

Well I think the Democrats fight dirty. I think the Democrats are lousy politicians with lousy policy. They want open borders. They don't care about crime. They want sanctuary cities. They don't care about drugs, they don't care about almost anything. They don't care about USMCA, how about that? I think they're lousy politicians. But two things they have: they're vicious and they stick together. They don't have Mitt Romney in their midst. They don't have people like that. They stick together. You never see them break off. You never see somebody go out and.."

5. Mid shot of Trump speaking

6 . SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"This whole thing is very bad for our country. In the midst of that, I'm trying to get out of wars. We may have to get in wars, too, OK? We may have to get in wars. We're better prepared than we've ever been. If Iran does something, they'll be hit like they've never been hit before. I mean, we have things that we're looking at. But can you imagine? I have to fight off these these low-lifes at the same time, I'm negotiating these very important things, that should have been done during Obama and Bush and even before that. All right. So that's where we are right now."

7. Cutaway of Cabinet members

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"(On impeachment) Well I think they want to. Any Democrat wants to because they're not going to beat me in the election. So of course, they want to impeach. Why wouldn't they want to impeach me? It's so, it's so illegitimate. It cannot be the way the founders, our great founders, meant this to be. But I see this guy, Congressman Al Green, say we have to impeach him, otherwise, he's going to win the election. What's that all about? But that's exactly what they're saying. We have to impeach him because otherwise he's going to win. I'm going to win the election."

9. Wide shot of Trump in Cabinet Room

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"You know you had a Never-Trumper-Bush, you have heard of those. Those people might be worse than the Democrats, the Never-Trumpers. The good news is they're dying off fast. They're on artificial respiration, I think. But, no impeachment, uh, they want to impeach and they want to do it as quick as possible. And that's pretty much the story, ok?"

"On October 1st 2016 Donald Trump again questioned the integrity of the nation's voting system.

The US Republican presidential nominee warned his supporters to keep a close eye on polling places after they vote next month - especially in ""certain areas.""

Trump made the comments on during a rally in Manheim, Pennsylvania.

He said, ""We can't lose an election because of, you know what I'm talking about,"" before adding: ""A lot of bad things happen. I don't want to lose for that reason.""

Trump has repeatedly suggested that only election fraud could stop him from becoming president.

There has never been evidence of widespread voting fraud in the United States.

***

The Republican presidential candidate said that in private business, he ""brilliantly used those laws"" to ""pay as little tax as legally possible"" during turbulent economic times.

But added that he now intends to use his tax law expertise to ""fix"" the complexity of those laws.

He spoke in the wake of a New York Times report that said he reported losing more than 900 million US dollars, which legally could have helped him avoid paying taxes for nearly two decades.

He did not say the article was correct, and did not dispute it.

***

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump blurted out lewd and sexually charged comments about women as he waited to make a cameo appearance on a soap opera in 2005.

The Republican presidential nominee issued a rare apology on Friday.

Trump bragged about kissing, groping and trying to have sex with women on audio and video recordings obtained by The Washington Post and NBC News.

In a conversation with Billy Bush, then a host of the television show ""Access Hollywood, the celebrity businessman boasted: ""When you're a star, they let you do it.""

The remarks were caught by a live microphone that Trump didn't appear to know was recording their conversation.

In a statement released by his campaign, Trump said: ""This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course - not even close. I apologise if anyone was offended.""

***

About half a dozen people gathered at a downtown square and displayed the pinata, which was holding a banner reading ""Let's build bridges, not walls. Let's stop Donald Trump.""

The group of protesters, smaller than the number of reporters covering the event, later hung the pinata and hit it several times with a stick before burning it.

In Mexico, pinatas represent evil and to overcome it, one must break the pinata, which rewards you with candy stuffed inside at the end.

***

About 200 women, dressed in black, sat on the sidewalk outside Trump Tower during a protest in New York City on October 18th.

Organisers say the sit-in, which emphasised the concerns of women and immigrants, was one of many protests being held nationwide against Republican US presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The demonstration lasted about a half-hour.

Police stood by but did not intervene.

Trump both owns and lives in Trump Tower - and also coordinates his presidential campaign from there.

He was scheduled for appearances in Colorado on October 18th.

***

US presidential hopeful Donald Trump on October 20th mocked his much-derided comment at the presidential debate that he might not accept the results of the election.

Trump kicked off a rally in Delaware, Ohio, by saying that he ""would like to promise and pledge to all of my voters and supports and to all of the people of the United States that I will totally accept the results of this great and historic presidential election.""

But he added: ""If I win.""

Trump is continuing to raise concerns about the integrity of the election, despite a lack of evidence of widespread voter fraud in the country.

***

Democratic US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has rebuked Donald Trump for refusing to say he'll respect the outcome of the upcoming election, saying that her Republican rival is now attacking ""democracy itself.""

Speaking in Florida on October 25th, Clinton said she has ""serious doubts"" about whether Trump understands the meaning of the president's oath of office to ""preserve, protect and defend the constitution.""

The former Secretary of State said that Trump is ""attacking everything that has set our country apart for 240 years.""

She pointed to his refusal at the final presidential debate to commit to conceding the race if he loses.

During the rally, the crowd broke into a spontaneous singing of ""Happy Birthday"" ahead of Clinton's 69th birthday on October 26th.

***

President Barack Obama is unloading on Donald Trump in battleground North Carolina and is suggesting to voters there that ""the republic is at risk"" if the GOP nominee makes it to the White House.

Obama told the Chapel Hill crowd Hillary Clinton is a ""steady ... tough"" and well-prepared for the job. He said Trump doesn't have the character for the job.

The president said Trump has many supporters who see him as ""their voice."" But he argued that Trump has never cared about working people. Obama also cited Trump's litany of boorish comments about women, his mockery of Republican Sen. John McCain's status as a war hero and his spat with the family of a Muslim soldier killed in Iraq.

***

US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton arrived at a Chappaqua, New York polling station to cast her ballot on November 8th.

Clinton arrived with her husband, former US President Bill Clinton to the polling station where voters snapped photos and cheered as Clinton cast her paper ballot.

***

President Barack Obama has met with President-elect Donald Trump at the White House on November 10th.

Obama said that they had an ""excellent"" and ""wide-ranging"" conversation.

Obama met with Trump in the Oval Office for more than an hour to discuss the transition of power.

Obama said he was encouraged by Trump's wanting to work with his team on issues facing the country. He said it's important for all ""to now come together.""

Later, Trump will go to Capitol Hill to talk with congressional leaders about the Republicans' legislative agenda for 2017.

***

Stephen Bannon, a leading force of the far-right, a media mogul and professional provocateur, a man who made a career out of roiling the establishment from the outside, just landed squarely on the inside.

Donald Trump's pick for chief strategist and senior counselor signals the president-elect has no intention of abandoning his brash, outsider instincts as he puts together his new government.

Trump didn't give Bannon the top White House job - that went to Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

Still, Trump made clear on Sunday that a man many credit with righting the businessman's campaign - and one others accuse of amplifying a bigoted fringe - would have a plum position in the West Wing.

Bannon joined Trump's election team as chief executive late in the campaign, following the departure of Trump's second campaign team in August.

He quickly became a member of Trump's inner circle, frequently traveling with the candidate and working to re-shape his message to emphasize Trump's populist and outsider appeal.

Bannon came from Breitbart News, an unabashedly pro-Trump outlet that had declared war on GOP leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, with whom Trump will have to work to pass his agenda if Ryan retains his role.

***

President-elect Donald Trump is offering the post of attorney general to Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, one of the Trump's closest and most consistent allies.

That's according to a senior Trump official, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the conversation.

The official on November 18th wouldn't say whether Sessions had accepted the job, which left open the possibility that the arrangement was not finalised.

Sessions was the first senator to endorse Trump and was a close adviser throughout the campaign.

Trump released a statement November 17th after a meeting with the senator saying he was ""unbelievably impressed"" with Sessions.

The Alabama Republican previously struggled with a Senate confirmation hearing when he was nominated for a federal judgeship in 1986. He was dogged by racist comments he was accused of making while serving as U.S. attorney in Alabama.

Pompeo is a conservative Republican and a fierce critic of President Barack Obama's nuclear deal with Iran.

Trump is beginning to fill out his governing team, and the transition official says Trump will make the Pompeo announcement on Friday morning, along with his nomination of Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions to be attorney general and his selection of retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn to be national security adviser.

The official wasn't authorised to disclose the decisions ahead of Trump's announcement and insisted on anonymity.

***

President-elect Donald Trump agreed November 18th to pay 25 million US dollars to settle lawsuits against his now-defunct Trump University for real estate investors, averting a trial in a potentially embarrassing case that he had vowed during the campaign to keep fighting.

The settlement came 10 days before jury selection was scheduled to begin in one of the three cases.

The complaints accused Trump University, which wasn't an accredited school, of defrauding students who paid up to 35,000 US dollars a year to enroll in programs that promised to share Trump's real estate secrets.

If the proposed settlement is approved by a federal judge, about 6,000 students covered in two-class action lawsuits in San Diego would share 21 million US dollars, and Trump will pay 4 million US dollars to settle a complaint filed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in 2013.

Under the terms, Trump admitted no wrongdoing.

The settlement lifts what would probably be a major obstacle for Trump as he works to fill key executive branch positions and get acquainted with foreign leaders.

The San Diego trial, on a case filed in 2010, was expected to last several weeks, guaranteeing daily news coverage of a controversy that dogged him during the campaign.

***

President-elect Donald Trump is holding another round of meetings at his New Jersey golf club with people who could fill out his cabinet.

The meetings come as Trump told reporters outside the clubhouse on November 20th that he was getting very close on new appointments.

Among those who met with Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence on Sunday were Hollywood talent agent Ari Emmanuel.

His brother, Rahm Emanuel, was President Barack Obama's chief of staff and now the mayor of Chicago.

No details were given on what their meeting was about.

Peter Kirsanow, who is an attorney and member of the US Civil Rights Commission, also met with Trump and Pence.

Kirsanow also served on the National Labor Relations Board during the George W. Bush administration.

Also on Sunday former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani arrived through a side door at the clubhouse.

When reporters asked Trump what he planned on discussing with Giuliani, Trump smiled and replied, ""Wouldn't you like to know.""

Trump also met with billionaire investor Wilbur Ross as the president-elect searches for a secretary of commerce.

When asked by reporters what he thought comments made by the cast of ""Hamilton,"" Trump said they were ""very inappropriate.""

He's demanded an apology for a message an actor delivered from the stage to Trump's running mate about the need for diversity in America.

Pence who attended the Broadway play said he was not offended by the message.

***

US President Barack Obama said December 16th based on intelligence assessments, Russia was responsible for hacking into the Democratic National Committee email server, interferring in the presidential election with the goal of supporting Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Speaking at his end of year news conference, Obama defended his administration's handling of the situation and said it is very important for everyone to ""distinguish between the politics of the election"" and the intergrity of the process.

***

US President Barack Obama has imposed sanctions on Russian officials and intelligence services in retaliation for Russia's hacking of American political sites and email accounts ahead of the November US presidential election.

The State Department also has kicked out 35 Russian diplomats from its embassy in Washington and consulate in San Francisco, giving them and their families 72 hours to leave the US the diplomats were declared persona non grata for acting in a ""manner inconsistent with their diplomatic status.""

Obama said Russians will no longer have access to two Russian government-owned compounds in the United States, in Maryland and in New York.

In a bid to expose Moscow's cyber aggression, the US released a detailed report about Russia's hacking infrastructure that it said was designed to help computer specialists identify compromised systems and prevent more hacking.

Russian officials have denied the Obama administration's accusation that the Russian government was trying to influence the US presidential election.

US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia's goal was to help Donald Trump win - an assessment Trump has dismissed as ridiculous.

""And you've got to watch your polling booths, because I hear too many stories about Pennsylvania - certain areas. I hear too many bad stories, and we can't lose an election because of you know what I'm talking about. So go and vote and then go check out areas, because a lot of bad things happen, and we don't want to lose for that reason. We don't want to lose, but we especially...we don't want to lose for that reason. So go over and watch - and watch carefully.""

00:15:03

Trump: I have used tax laws ""brilliantly""

4058634

POOL

Pueblo - 3 October 2016

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US presidential nominee:

""Honestly I have brilliantly, I have brilliantly used those laws. I have often said on the campaign trail that I have a fiduciary responsibility to pay no more tax than as legally required like anybody.""

00:30:07

Audio of Trump's remarks about women

4059483

AP TELEVISION

New York - 7 October 2016

3. Screen shot of tweet from Hillary Clinton: ""This is horrific. We cannot allow this man to become president.""

4. Screen shot of Donald Trump statement from campaign website: ""This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course - not even close. I apologise if anyone was offended.""

""Donald Trump is attacking everything that has set our country apart for 240 years. Now, after spending his entire campaign attacking one group of Americans after another - immigrants, African Americans, Latinos, women, POWs, Muslims, people with disabilities - now his final target is democracy itself.""

02:08:01

Obama: Trump Would Put 'Republic at Risk'

4063891

POOL

Raleigh, North Carolina - November 2, 2016

16. President Barack Obama enters

17. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama

"" I ran against Mitt Romney -- I thought I'd be a better president, but I never thought that the republic was at risk if they were elected.""

18. SOUNDBITE (English) President Barack Obama

"" This guy is temperamentally-unfit to be commander in chief and is not equipped to be president

02:36:12

Hillary Clinton Casts Ballot on Election Day

4064843

AP TELEVISION

Chappaqua - 8 November 2016

19. Various of Hillary Clinton voting

02:41:17

Obama meets Trump at the White House

4065376

AP TELEVISION

Washington DC - 10 November 2016

20. US President-elect Donald Trump meeting with President Barack Obama

UPSOUND (English) Barack Obama, US President: ""Well I just had the opportunity to have an excellent conversation with president-elect Trump. It was wide-ranging, we talked about some of the organisational issues in setting up the White House. We talked about foreign policy we talked about domestic policy

03:01:08

FILE Trump picks Bannon as chief strategist

4065894

POOL

FILE: New York - 20 August 2016

21. Various of Donald Trump's campaign chief executive (at the time) Stephen Bannon who was named by President-elect Donald Trump his chief strategist and senior counselor

03:11:16

Trump Picks Sessions for AG; Pompeo for CIA

4066788

AP TELEVISION, US POOL

AP TELEVISION

New York - 17 November 2016

22. Jeff Sessions and Kellyanne Conway at Trump Tower

US POOL

Madison, Alabama - 28 February 2016

23. Sessions and Trump at rally

AP TELEVISION

Washington - 28 June 2016

24. Rep. Mike Pompeo at news conference

03:30:05

Trump agrees to $25M Trump U settlement

4066867

AP TELEVISION

San Diego - 18 November 2016

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Daniel Petrocelli, Trump's Lead Attorney:

""A very important part of our willingness to compromise this case was the acknowledgement that there was no fault or liability on the part of President-elect Trump or Trump University""

""There hasn't been a lot of squabbling. What we've simply said is the facts, which are that based on uniform intelligence assessments, the Russians were responsible for hacking the DNC

And my hope is that the president-elect is going to similarly be concerned with making sure that we don't have potential foreign influence in our election process. I don't think any American wants that.

U.S. Department of State, United States government, U.S. Republican Party, Alabama Attorney General's Office, Alabama state government, New York Attorney General's Office, New York state government, United States Senate, United States Congress, Russia government, U.S. Democratic Party